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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

Well said. The $10 piano book teaches you to play the piano. Alll you have to do is to play the 60 pages and rewiew and review day after day week after week month after month. It is that simple. Learning to play the piano means sitting at the piano 3 hours a day for the rest of your life playing slowly and accurately.

I got the books... 37 Euros with taxes. I downloaded everything on my iPad and it looks great! I'm halfway through book 1 (already know lots of chords and rhythms thanks to the Alfred's books) and it's exactly the kind of approach I was looking for. Will devote 1 hour a week to this. I see it as a nice complement to my other books.

And yes... I guess we're always looking for new methods and materials... actually anything that has to do with piano is interesting for me now, so anything goes as long as it has the word "piano" in it Personally, it's also a matter of gradually understanding what kind of player you want to be, the music you really like to make etc. So it's always work-in-progress.

Edited by sinophilia (02/09/1304:42 AM)

_________________________
Diana & Wally - Yamaha W110BWMartha Argerich... is an incarnation of the artistic metaphor of the "eternal feminine" that draws us upward. (Sergio Sablich)http://soundcloud.com/sinophilia

It is great to see that this thread that I started has been updated. I started the Piano for All program; but I did not continue with it. Like it was mentioned, many try new programs to learn; but only for a limited time. Then, it is off to try another program. It seems that I always order play by ear programs; but I never get far with these programs to reach my goal. I am always looking to see if there something much better to order.

My main goal is to try to learn how to play piano by ear. This program helps to learn progressions taken from different genres of music. You can memorize the different progressions and apply it to piano ear playing.

This program is great for beginners just to learn rhythm patterns and experiment with many different styles of music. It is very extensive; and it takes many months of practicing all the ebooks to learn all the material.

The program can be downloaded immediately after purchase; but you can also request a CD version of all ebooks put into one file to be dowloaded.

This is one of many programs that beginners can order to start learning how to play piano by note and only be applied to an extent in playing by ear.

I still would like to hear from some people who have completes this program and the results. We always read about these type programs but we never seem to find anyone who graduated.

That is because no-one ever does. We all jump around from method to method, in hopes of getting that "best" way to learn.

The problem is ... there is no "best" way .... only different.

I have PianoForAll and it is fine. If you do everything he suggests, you will end up being a very good player.

BTW ... most courses are like that. If you do what they tell you to do you get pretty good at playing the piano.

Some people do finish what they start. And it helps to know if a course like this (or any course) delivers. If a course is excellent it should have a good number of graduates who can demonstrate some results. It seems we see a lack of results from most if not all of these online (download) type courses.

Is it the student giving up, because it doesn't work? If a course is good, why would a dedicated student stop?

Can anyone name an online course that has turned them into a very good player?

Many of the online courses out there are the same wine in different wineskins. The question is if there are programs that can make your practice time more productive.

I quit the PFA course, but I also quit Rocket Piano. Before that I had gone through the first gmajormusictheory.org categories and I also quit that. It may look like I'm a quitter. I actually started with a teacher, but I didn't quit with him, he quitted with me. I'm not a quitter!

I believe the reason I quit with those programs or methods, has nothing to with the methods themselves, rather me. It's just that other things consumed my time, like my University studies. The Alfred's books would have ended back on the shelf as well, in my case.

>> Can anyone name an online course that has turned them into a very good player?

It is an interesting question. Let me preface my comments by saying that I have no dog in this hunt. I can see pros and cons, though I would not be a buyer of the course.

I think a good analogy is the exercise equipment advertised on TV. The TV spot makes it look so easy, the actors look great, that's why people buy. Most people that buy, use the equipment a few times and then it dawns on them the hard work needed to get significant results. Most buyers give it up without getting full use out of the equipment. The courses aren't all that different.

Like the exercise equipment, or even method books for that matter, a dedicated person will get some value out of it. I'd guess that 1% or maybe 0.1% get what might considered full value out of their purchase of TV advertised exercise equipment. However, let's not make it a federal case. The cost of the program in this thread is the same or less than most spend on a single lesson from a teacher. It isn't that big a deal either way in this case, though there are other much more expensive options out there.

The scenario painted by some, of learning only from a method book, and sitting at the bench for hours would make me give up from boredom and despair. That kind of regimen isn't for me. I prefer audio and video, as well as paper notation. Again, I would not be a buyer of the course.

Different people learn in different ways. I am sure many customers feel they got their $40 (or whatever the price is) of value out of their purchase. To expect one purchase to turn out a very good musician is a bit much.

Another analogy, I bought the book, The Musician's Way. I feel like I got my purchase price worth of value out of it, even though the book is aimed at college level music majors vs. hobbyist musicians like myself. No one expects that a single book, no matter how good, would vault me into being a very good musician. The Musician's Way book helped me in small ways, at the margins. I would guess that many people that bought the course mentioned here, and did a few lessons from it, may feel similar. That they got their money's worth out of it, but it only helped here and there.

Yet another analogy, if a person pays to go to a master's class, or a week at a music retreat, they don't expect that class, or a week, to vault to them to a much higher level. That doesn't mean those classes or retreats aren't worth the money. The attendees may find one, two, or ten tips or observations or experiences that help them on their journey.

>> Can anyone name an online course that has turned them into a very good player?

It is an interesting question. Let me preface my comments by saying that I have no dog in this hunt. I can see pros and cons, though I would not be a buyer of the course.

I think a good analogy is the exercise equipment advertised on TV. The TV spot makes it look so easy, the actors look great, that's why people buy. Most people that buy, use the equipment a few times and then it dawns on them the hard work needed to get significant results. Most buyers give it up without getting full use out of the equipment. The courses aren't all that different.

Like the exercise equipment, or even method books for that matter, a dedicated person will get some value out of it. I'd guess that 1% or maybe 0.1% get what might considered full value out of their purchase of TV advertised exercise equipment. However, let's not make it a federal case. The cost of the program in this thread is the same or less than most spend on a single lesson from a teacher. It isn't that big a deal either way in this case, though there are other much more expensive options out there.

The scenario painted by some, of learning only from a method book, and sitting at the bench for hours would make me give up from boredom and despair. That kind of regimen isn't for me. I prefer audio and video, as well as paper notation. Again, I would not be a buyer of the course.

Different people learn in different ways. I am sure many customers feel they got their $40 (or whatever the price is) of value out of their purchase. To expect one purchase to turn out a very good musician is a bit much.

Another analogy, I bought the book, The Musician's Way. I feel like I got my purchase price worth of value out of it, even though the book is aimed at college level music majors vs. hobbyist musicians like myself. No one expects that a single book, no matter how good, would vault me into being a very good musician. The Musician's Way book helped me in small ways, at the margins. I would guess that many people that bought the course mentioned here, and did a few lessons from it, may feel similar. That they got their money's worth out of it, but it only helped here and there.

Yet another analogy, if a person pays to go to a master's class, or a week at a music retreat, they don't expect that class, or a week, to vault to them to a much higher level. That doesn't mean those classes or retreats aren't worth the money. The attendees may find one, two, or ten tips or observations or experiences that help them on their journey.

I agree

These online courses I view just like any other book of music etc.

I read and watched the vids of the first 40 odd pages of Pianoforall in bed last night on my ipad. I learnt something that's probably very obvious to most people, but that one thing made something click into place.

I have learnt to read music over the past year and can sight read Alfreds Book 1 quite well, many at the proper speed first go. I always struggle remembering the notes when it goes above the treble staff or below the bass staff.

But I saw a particular diagram in Pianoforall last night that made it snapped into my mind that 2 lines above the treble cleff and two lines below the bass is C.

Seeing it there just made it go ping in my brain and I will never forget it and that will make my whole sight reading and music reading skills much easier in the future.

I now know instantly that the line below the bass staff is E as it's one line above the C etc.

Sure I've learnt the usual rhymes to remember the notes, but the sudden realisation about those two C's has made me realise that the bass cleff staff lines are the same notes as the treble cleff only one line down, so if something is on the bottom line of the bass, that would be the same as being on the next line up on the treble cleff, hence its a G. I'm not saying that's an ideal way to read music of course, I'm saying it's useful to know if ever my mind goes blank.

Most of the first 40 odd pages I knew already, but that one little snippit is a superb thing that Alfreds hadn't managed to display/teach in a way that worked for me to remember.

That was the only thing new I learnt from the first 40 pages, but the start of the book is aimed at beginners hence this is to be expected and I have often experienced the same thing with some very good programming books when I learnt to program many moons ago. The first few chapters told me things I already knew, but were worth reading because the odd snippet of information gave me a tip on programming I might not have realised all those other times.

I know some first class piano players that have a ton of different music books. They don't buy each book and work through it from start to end, they buy them when they catch their eye, some might not get open for months, a few not ever, others get dipped into for certain tunes etc

I know my piano playing has improved 10 fold due to the help of PlayPianoToday. It's not going to teach me to become a classical concert pianist but that's the last thing I want to be anyway.

It's little ideas that help with experimentation and improvisation. For example PlayPianoToday getting me to play say the chord of c as a broken chord but playing it as follows

C2, G2, E3

meaning I'm playing the third in the octave higher. Just that simple little thing gave me hours of experimental pleasure and watching them do it really helped too.

So yes I do think these courses are worth it if you don't think your going to be a concert pianist at the end of them.

If I reach a point where the course is not advanced enough or I'm into another course for different tips, so what, I've easily got my monies worth.

Both these courses added together cost around the same as one of my sons new released Xbox 360 games cost. And for that I have books on blues, books on gospel, books on chords, books on ballads etc.

I'm only a day into pianoforall and already its been worth it for my sight/music reading reading.

I'm a few months into PlayPianoToday and I don't regret buying it in the slightest and yes I can say with 100% certainty it has really helped improve my playing.

But, if your the sort of person that likes a traditional tutor, the traditional classical pieces etc, chances are it wont be for you.

I have two posts in the beginning of this thread, and I have not changed my very positive opinion of Piano for all. It should be useful for many people on ABF. But of course one needs more than one course or one book. I have not used the course for a while, and lately i have found Piano-ology extremely useful and interesting. I have mentioned it here before, and now I am even more convinced about its usefulness. And it is absolutely free. It is definitely worth taking a look at it. Especially the Youtube videos on basic pianotechnique.

>> Can anyone name an online course that has turned them into a very good player?

It is an interesting question. Let me preface my comments by saying that I have no dog in this hunt. I can see pros and cons, though I would not be a buyer of the course.

I think a good analogy is the exercise equipment advertised on TV. The TV spot makes it look so easy, the actors look great, that's why people buy. Most people that buy, use the equipment a few times and then it dawns on them the hard work needed to get significant results. Most buyers give it up without getting full use out of the equipment. The courses aren't all that different.

Like the exercise equipment, or even method books for that matter, a dedicated person will get some value out of it. I'd guess that 1% or maybe 0.1% get what might considered full value out of their purchase of TV advertised exercise equipment. However, let's not make it a federal case. The cost of the program in this thread is the same or less than most spend on a single lesson from a teacher. It isn't that big a deal either way in this case, though there are other much more expensive options out there.

The scenario painted by some, of learning only from a method book, and sitting at the bench for hours would make me give up from boredom and despair. That kind of regimen isn't for me. I prefer audio and video, as well as paper notation. Again, I would not be a buyer of the course.

Different people learn in different ways. I am sure many customers feel they got their $40 (or whatever the price is) of value out of their purchase. To expect one purchase to turn out a very good musician is a bit much.

Another analogy, I bought the book, The Musician's Way. I feel like I got my purchase price worth of value out of it, even though the book is aimed at college level music majors vs. hobbyist musicians like myself. No one expects that a single book, no matter how good, would vault me into being a very good musician. The Musician's Way book helped me in small ways, at the margins. I would guess that many people that bought the course mentioned here, and did a few lessons from it, may feel similar. That they got their money's worth out of it, but it only helped here and there.

Yet another analogy, if a person pays to go to a master's class, or a week at a music retreat, they don't expect that class, or a week, to vault to them to a much higher level. That doesn't mean those classes or retreats aren't worth the money. The attendees may find one, two, or ten tips or observations or experiences that help them on their journey.

I agree

These online courses I view just like any other book of music etc.

I read and watched the vids of the first 40 odd pages of Pianoforall in bed last night on my ipad. I learnt something that's probably very obvious to most people, but that one thing made something click into place.

I have learnt to read music over the past year and can sight read Alfreds Book 1 quite well, many at the proper speed first go. I always struggle remembering the notes when it goes above the treble staff or below the bass staff.

But I saw a particular diagram in Pianoforall last night that made it snapped into my mind that 2 lines above the treble cleff and two lines below the bass is C.

Seeing it there just made it go ping in my brain and I will never forget it and that will make my whole sight reading and music reading skills much easier in the future.

I now know instantly that the line below the bass staff is E as it's one line above the C etc.

Sure I've learnt the usual rhymes to remember the notes, but the sudden realisation about those two C's has made me realise that the bass cleff staff lines are the same notes as the treble cleff only one line down, so if something is on the bottom line of the bass, that would be the same as being on the next line up on the treble cleff, hence its a G. I'm not saying that's an ideal way to read music of course, I'm saying it's useful to know if ever my mind goes blank.

Most of the first 40 odd pages I knew already, but that one little snippit is a superb thing that Alfreds hadn't managed to display/teach in a way that worked for me to remember.

That was the only thing new I learnt from the first 40 pages, but the start of the book is aimed at beginners hence this is to be expected and I have often experienced the same thing with some very good programming books when I learnt to program many moons ago. The first few chapters told me things I already knew, but were worth reading because the odd snippet of information gave me a tip on programming I might not have realised all those other times.

I know some first class piano players that have a ton of different music books. They don't buy each book and work through it from start to end, they buy them when they catch their eye, some might not get open for months, a few not ever, others get dipped into for certain tunes etc

I know my piano playing has improved 10 fold due to the help of PlayPianoToday. It's not going to teach me to become a classical concert pianist but that's the last thing I want to be anyway.

It's little ideas that help with experimentation and improvisation. For example PlayPianoToday getting me to play say the chord of c as a broken chord but playing it as follows

C2, G2, E3

meaning I'm playing the third in the octave higher. Just that simple little thing gave me hours of experimental pleasure and watching them do it really helped too.

So yes I do think these courses are worth it if you don't think your going to be a concert pianist at the end of them.

If I reach a point where the course is not advanced enough or I'm into another course for different tips, so what, I've easily got my monies worth.

Both these courses added together cost around the same as one of my sons new released Xbox 360 games cost. And for that I have books on blues, books on gospel, books on chords, books on ballads etc.

I'm only a day into pianoforall and already its been worth it for my sight/music reading reading.

I'm a few months into PlayPianoToday and I don't regret buying it in the slightest and yes I can say with 100% certainty it has really helped improve my playing.

But, if your the sort of person that likes a traditional tutor, the traditional classical pieces etc, chances are it wont be for you.

best

Joe

Very well said, Joe.

Like you, I have both courses (Piano for all and Play Piano Today). Since I wanted to learn about improvisational playing, I find these 2 courses work well together. (I have a long way to go in each but am enjoying the journey so far.) When I reach a sticking point in one course, I switch back to the other. I find that helps with combating frustration. Whether I complete each and every lesson of each course is irrelevant, IMO. But, if I feel that I'm progressing overall, based upon the lessons I complete, I'm happy.

But, if you're looking for training on sight reading, these 2 courses are NOT it.

Audio/Video instruction may not work for others, but I like it, and I have no regrets about purchasing/using either course.

I have had a look at that- I think it looks very good- I am tempted to buy that for over the summer when my piano teacher is away- it will give me plenty to work on and also what I'd like to go more into- chords, improvising etc.

In fact this online course looks far more exciting and value for money than others I've seen.

I just need to check if quicktime is compatible with my OS ( Not on Microsoft).

Yeah..on a netbook so not got a driver- got the software but need to get a portable driver to plug into it. I watch DVDs on a portable DVD player ( with screen). I am guessing the DVD means one doesn't have to worry bout Quicktime then!

EdwardianPiano, I think the CD is just a data CD that contains the pdf's and quicktime files. It's for people with slow or nonexistent internet connections who don't want to be bothered downloading the files.

EdwardianPiano, I think the CD is just a data CD that contains the pdf's and quicktime files. It's for people with slow or nonexistent internet connections who don't want to be bothered downloading the files.

I think Robin now has the videos on mp4, for iPad. They play on most computers, at least I've been able to play them on any of my computers, as well as in my TV. If you have the VLC media player, you can play them. VLC plays almost any format.

Actually I once encoded the quicktime videos to both divx-avi and mp4, among other things to be able to play them in my DVD player and plug them into the USB port on the TV. However the quality is rather poor, so they don't display well on large screens.

Edit: Yes you can download the files many times, just remember to bookmark the download link you get. I've downloaded some of my files at least twice.

I think Robin now has the videos on mp4, for iPad. They play on most computers, at least I've been able to play them on any of my computers, as well as in my TV. If you have the VLC media player, you can play them. VLC plays almost any format.

Actually I once encoded the quicktime videos to both divx-avi and mp4, among other things to be able to play them in my DVD player and plug them into the USB port on the TV. However the quality is rather poor, so they don't display well on large screens.

I should be able to play MP4S- I'm on Linux. VLC is available for Linux as well last time I looked. Linux has myriads of available programmes to play mp3s/4s to download.

Thanks for that Pianotehead. I emailed Robin to ask him if he had any other formats. I plan to get this programme in the summer, so plenty of time to get it organised!

I just purchased this course last night, and let me say that I feel very excited about this. The course is exactly what I was looking for. Let me explain.

I am doing the Alfred series and am needing supplemental material. Ultimately, I want to do The Pop Piano Method by Mark Harrison, a 500 page digest of popular styles, and the theory behind them. Its an advanced method that I'm just not technically capable of yet. I needed a bridge, or primer to it.

And thus, Piano for All. It also looks at progressions and many of the stylistic techniques for popular genres. But, at a much less advanced level. It appears to be a great primer to use leading up to the point when I can take on Mark Harrison's method. Furthermore, it complements Alfred wonderfully. I really am very excited to do this.

Frankly I was a bit sceptical given the web sites heavy marketing lean, and use of Clickbank (known for crummy ebooks). But looking over the material, it appears there is a reason why the reviews are so positive on Amazon. It looks like a good course!

Good thing it works for you. Last night I opened book number two and started playing the twelve bar blues Jerry Lewis style, exercise number two I think. I found out it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. A few years ago I had done those exercises a little bit, but I was rusty yesterday and had trouble keeping time. I mixed up, in the left hand progression I sometimes played the root instead of the third.

We should consider making a Piano For All support thread, if there are enough people who are going through the course.

I completely agree! sinophilia is hip in my book. She is a voice of reason on these forums.

Oh Lord, thank you!

I'm trying to play the exercises in book 1 using the chord inversions taught in the Alfred's books - it makes things a bit more difficult but more interesting.

_________________________
Diana & Wally - Yamaha W110BWMartha Argerich... is an incarnation of the artistic metaphor of the "eternal feminine" that draws us upward. (Sergio Sablich)http://soundcloud.com/sinophilia

I just purchased the book, and I must say that it is exactly what I needed! I'm not extremely interested in developing the skill to read sheet music, and play pieces written in front of me. There are certainly many beautiful classical pieces that I would eventually like to tackle one day, but right now I want to learn how to jam on the piano...improvise, compose on the fly, and be able to play songs simply by knowing the chords. For instance, I have a Beatles song book that I bought for guitar a while ago, and it just has the chords and lyrics in it. Being that I'm a guitarist of 20 years, it's just basically second nature that I can instantly play any song in the book just by reading the chords. However when it comes to playing the piano, I'm lost as to how to use the given chords to "accompany" the lyrics. I mean there are so many different things you can do with the left and right hands...I'm pretty lost!

I have not yet begun the course, but after scanning through the material, I am certain that this is a compilation of everything that I've been looking for!

Anyway, I purchased the program, and I read through all 11 books. It appears to have exactly what I've been searching for (via many YouTube videos, websites, forum posts, etc...).

It starts off extremely simple, and it just builds from there. Every single book has audio and video examples, and the practice material is written in musical notation and "chord symbol" notation. It doesn't neglect the fact that reading music is important in the progression.

Ballad style book is my favorite so far since I tend to really want to always play heavily arrpegiated sad sounding, yet beautiful songs.

I also really like the looks of the jazz book which really helps to add that really "bluesy/jazzy" feel to a basic chord progression through the use of left hand techniques, rhythm techniques, and extensions of chords.

One of the books is dedicated to classical music as well. This one is book 8 or 9, and if you've been following the books in order as you are supposed to, then it should be manageable as far as the sight reading aspect of it goes. It appears to only be an introduction to classical piano, but there are still many beautiful sections of pieces to work through. As I said, after I go through this whole course (which will take a long time), I will then continue my learning with a nice classical book. Just running through this material however will get me to where I want to be as a rock pianist, with a background in reading and dipping into some classical.

The last book is all about practicing scales and arpeggios, with proper fingerlings. Although the course is designed to get you to start playing songs ASAP, the course material gets increasingly more difficult (which is good), and does not ever neglect the fact that scale and arpeggio practice in all keys is critical.

Basically my initial concern with the course was that it would leave me still a beginner with just the ability to play a bunch of cheesy tunes in C major (not exactly, but you get the point of my concerns). However after screening through the entire course material before witting down and working through it, my prediction is that after I make my way through the course, I will be LIGHT YEARS ahead of where I currently am! I will be able to go through something such as a fake book, or a book of chords and lyrics, and simply play the song instantly. I will also be able to apply my musical background of 20 years of guitar playing to the piano since I will now know what each hand is supposed to be doing. I will also have a solid reading foundation.

I can't wait to get cracking on this course. The beginning looks boring, as it has all chords played in just root position, but I will work through from the beginning because learning the basic rhythmic and musical notation reading concepts are critical foundations for the increasingly more difficult material that lies ahead in the later books.

I'm excited!

_________________________
My personal blog/website dedicated to giving answers on the age old question - how to escape the "rat race" and make a living from your passions. I now play guitar for a living at night and learn piano during the day!